Recipe Archives
A few recipes, some Japanese, some Baking.
A few recipes, some Japanese, some Baking.
Nikujaga or nikujyaga is a typical Japanese comfort food. Even the preparation is typical in that it is opposite to the usual strict conventions.
Nikujaga was invented by chefs of the Imperial Japanese Navy in the late 19th Century. It was inspired by beef stews served in the British Royal Navy which Japanese naval legend Tōgō Heihachirō encountered while studying naval science in Portsmouth, England. Upon his return to Japan, he commissioned a Japanese version of the dish for use in the Japanese Navy because of its nutritional value.
Source: Wikipedia The link to the recipe at the bottom is worth checking.
On asking a couple of people what goes in they said “just guess”. Pressing them further got differing answers. It’s up to personal taste and may need some perseverance. The amounts below should cover six people. (continue reading…)
Always been keen to bring the delight of a roast potato to the Japanese. If not met well, I can always scoff the lot.
Crank the oven up to 250ºC. The roasting tray needs to come out with a few millimetres of very hot fat or oil. Whilst that’s heating up, peel the potatoes. Cut into equal sized pieces, about the size of an egg. Put the spuds in a pan and pour over boiling water (it’s better that way round if you’ll clumsy like me). (continue reading…)
Sweat the diced onions and garlic in the oil. (continue reading…)
How to make simple rye bread:
It’s not very creative and will have to do for the meantime. Substitute a third of the flour from the plain bread recipe with rye flour. Resist the temptation to add extra flour early on when kneading. Stick with it and it should soon be easier to work with.
Pies are unsurprisingly unpopular in Japan. I miss them. With a little work it’s not too difficult to knock one together. Here’s a simple chicken pie recipe.

Chicken pie
Make the pastry, after it has rested, cut it in half. Lighty dust your worksurface with flour. (continue reading…)
Bread is quick and simple to make. What does take time, is the proofing especially during the winter here in Japan. Here’s how to make plain bread.

Plain bread
Mixing
Sift the flour, yeast and salt into a large mixing bowl. Mix to combine them. Make a well in the centre and pour in the warm water.
Fold over the flour from the edges to form a dough. (continue reading…)
A simple biscuit/cookie make from oats and walnuts.

Walnut Oaties
Place the butter, sugar and honey into a saucepan. Over a low heat, melt the butter and stir to dissolve the sugar. (continue reading…)